Scotland Football Team Managers

History of Scotland National Football Team Managers

Up until 1958, a selection committee selected the Scotland National Football Team. The only manager appointed during this period was Andy Beattie, who was appointed solely for the lead-up to, and duration of the 1954 Football World Cup. The selection committee was kept in place until the appointment of Matt Busby in 1958. Since 1958, there have been a total of 18 Scotland National Football Team Managers.

The current Scotland National Football Team Manager is George Burley who was appointed on 23rd January 2008.

Famous Scotland National Football Team Managers

Some of the more famous names to be appointed include:

Sir Matt Busby (1958 – 2 games)

Jock Stein (1965/66 – 7 games and 1978/85 – 61 games)

Bobby Brown (1967/71 – 28 games)

Sir Alex Ferguson (1985/86 – 10 games)

Andy Roxburgh (1986/93 – 62 games)

Berti Vogts (the first non-Scottish appointment (2002/4 – 31 games)

Alex McLeish (2007 – 10 games).

Alex McLeish is statistically the most successful manager with a 70% win ratio during his ‘reign’. Berti Vogts has the unenviable record of having the worst managerial record (23.33% win ratio).

Jock Stein

Jock Stein had a brief spell as Scotland manager from 1965 to 1966. In this time the Scotland National Football Teamhad a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses from their 7 games played.

In 1967 he was manager of Celtic Football Club. As manager, he helped Celtic to win all five competitions they played in that year. This included the Scottish League Championship, the Scottish Cup, the Scottish League Cup, the European Cup and the Glasgow Cup. No Scottish club before or since has ever had such a successful season.

After a 12-year hiatus, Jock Stein was again appointed Scotland National Football Team Manager. This tenure extended from 1978 until 1985. During this time, Scotland played 61 matches and had a record of 26 wins, 12 draws and 23 losses. After successfully helping Scotland to qualify for the 1986 World Cup, Jock Stein suffered a fatal heart attack. After Jock Stein’s untimely death, Alex Ferguson was appointed as the Scotland National Football Team Manager for the 1986 World Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Perhaps the most famous Scotland National Football Team Manager is a certain Sir Alexander “Alex” Ferguson. He was manager from 1985 to 1986 (for the 1986 World Cup as a result of the Jock Stein’s death). Alex Ferguson has had a long and brilliant managerial career. He started as a manager in 1974 and is the current manager of Manchester United for the 2008/09 English Football Season.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s management career record is unprecedented. He has won more trophies than any other manager in the history of British football. He has also won more “Manager of the Year” awards than any other manager in the history of British Football. Statistics speak for themselves, so he is rightfully considered to be one of the best managers in the history of world football. The highlight of his still incredible career and life must surely be when Queen Elizabeth knighted him in 1999. The title of “Sir” seems to be the most appropriate honour that could have been bestowed upon one of the all time greatest managers in world football history.

What are the odds on Alex Ferguson again winning a major trophy as Manchester United’s manager during the 2008/09 English Football Season?